55 Secret Street

Secret Weapon: DDF Sulfur Therapeutic Mask

I have been using DDF Sulfur Therapeutic Mask as an intense spot treatment for persistent acne and blemishes and it has been working like a charm.   The sulfur is helped along by aloe and purifying clay which has a soothing effect even with the intensity of the sulfur.  I love DDF, even though they discontinued my beloved Sun Gel SPF 30.  I'm also a fan of their Glycolic Body Lotion but this is the first time I've tried the sulfur mask.  Thankfully, there is no need to slather it on - just a dab on a q-tip on the problem areas work just fine. 

DDF Sulfur Therapeutic Mask $34.00.

Michelle Obama's 60 Minutes Dress

My guess is Maria Pinto considering her previous work:



I'll update when I know for sure.

UPDATE 11/18/08:  Sorry for the delay!  I went out of town and forgot that I would not have internet access. 

As reported by the Chicago Tribune (and noted in the comments by many eagle-eyed commenters like "Mrs. T" of Mrs. O - a fashion blog dedicated to Michelle Obama) the designer is indeed Maria Pinto - but it's not a dress!  The "Eme" top and "Rani" skirt are from Pinto's spring collection, but she made it in tweed for Mrs. Obama.

$55 and Under: The Oprah Store

 

Even if you're not an Oprah-holic like some of us, chances are you will find something you like in The Oprah Store which opened last week (Check out Oprah's Online Video Tour of the store in Chicago.)  There are things that you would expect like clothes for women, men and babies and plenty of "O" inspired accessories and swag emblazoned with "The Oprah Winfrey Show."  However, most of my favorite items can be found in the Home Living section, especially the various items that were designed and/or made by South African artisans.

Metallic Triangle Makeup Case with "O" Zipper Pull $18.00.

Metallic Pencil Makeup Case with "O" Zipper Pull $10.00

Handcrafted Ceramic Small Bowl from South Africa $38.00.

African Stone Frame (4x6) made in South Africa $36.00.

Paper Mache Bowls in Red from South Africa $11.00-$28.00. These Hand Made Paper Mache bowls are made by Wola Nani.  Xhosa for "we embrace and develop one another," Wola Nani provides a service that enables people living with HIV to respond positively to their status.
 

Handcrafted Beaded Glass Bowl in Fuschia and Turquoise (small) $45.00.  These bowls are by Sizwe Umoya, a group of rural Zulu wire-weavers in South Africa.

Wire Bowl in Bright/Multi $24.00.

White House | Black Market 25% Off Sale

White House|Black Market's Friends and Family Event ends tomorrow - 25% off of every style using code 8748 at checkout.

(Top) Satin Bridal Dress $71.99 .  Le Jardin Dress $59.99 .

Flaxen Jacket $74.99 .

Sarbonne Bustier $44.99.

Ruched Surplice Top $29.99 .

 
Peruvian Pepper Dress $41.99 .

Horsebit Tank Dress $59.99 .

Web Snob Weekend

Sxy Fashion Queen discovers what Beyoncé and George Michael have in common.

Coquette loves the new trend of gray nails.

Bag Snob exclusive: The Soleil from Valentino Shopping Couture Bags!

The Shoe Goddess is obsessed with Giuseppe Zanotti's Christmas 2008 limited-edition sandal!

The Beauty Stop wonders if you can wash away wrinkles?

Fashion Pulse lives to tell the tale of the Comme des Garcons debut at H&M -- was or was it NOT worth getting pushed and shoved by aggressive fashionistas?

Beauty Snob interviews make up guru Bobbi Brown!

Fashion, evolved interviews Sara Suemae, the founder and designer of the eco-fabulous line SPUN.

The Fashionable Housewife is loving the Norma Kamali line at WalMart.

A Few Goody GumDrops is drooling over the diamond necklace from Mauboussin! Just in time for the holidays.

Stiletto Jungle found Spanx on sale for 40 percent off.

All About the Pretty's winter skin routine has a new solution.

Allie is Wired features the 10 most powerful celebrity babies.

Learn about nanotechnology in your beauty products at Christina Loves.

Ladybrille declares Yaye Marie Ba its Ladybrille Woman of the Month!

Second City Style takes you ringside for another bout of Celebrity Style Smackdown!

Shopping and Info loves the style of Kate Moss. Find out what to wear in any situation with

StyleBakery's secrets of effortless chic. Don't think fleece can be chic? Think again!

Stylehive has found the 10 most fashionable fleece pieces.

KRISTOPHER is wanting, using, and hating Ralph Lauren bags on sale.

Michelle Obama is Smart and Pretty and That's Okay!

You may or may not be able to tell when I am ruminating about possible fashion choices for Michelle Obama, but I am well aware that she is more than just a pretty face.  

I was interviewed today about Michelle Obama by Angela Russell for CBS 3 in Philadelphia and I was asked all kinds of questions  regarding Obama's career choices, her style and her impact as the first Black First Lady in American history.  While the final product focuses on her emerging status as a fashion icon, Russell found me via Michelle Obama Watch and it's founder Gina McCauley because they wanted to interview a "Michelle Obama Watcher" near the Philly area. I was motivated to contribute to MOW at the height of all of the stereotypical lies and attacks that were aimed at Michelle Obama over the summer. I have blogged about it on Anovelista.com (see: Why Does the Michelle Obama "Whitey" Tape Match a 2006 Novel?) but Michelle Obama Watch is a "repository of all of the criticism, praise and general chicanery thrown at Michelle Obama."  The primary concern was (and is) Michelle Obama's depiction in the media and its impact on Black women. It doesn't occur to some people that we can be multi-faceted and a Michelle Obama, while exceptional, is not unusual in many ways.

If you read this site enough, you know I love that Michelle Obama is quickly becoming an elegant yet approachable fashion icon.  However, I also love that she is a Black woman from a working class background who went on excel at top schools and in her career.  For the first time, we have a First Lady who is a descendant of slaves and her very presence will redefine the role of a First Lady, in part, because slaves built the White House, the Capitol and other government buildings.   I love that she is poised to have such a great impact on our country. 

And it doesn't hurt that she is going to look good doing it!

Update

Speaking of smart and pretty... I think Aisha Tyler, a beautiful, Black, six-foot tall Ivy-league educated, chocolate-skinned comedienne  should play Michelle Obama on SNL - or somewhere!